Architecture

Design Declares officially launched on July 29 in Sydney, with designers, design studios, agencies and institutions declaring and actively addressing the climate and ecological emergency that threatens our world.
At launch, Design Declares had 58 signatories in Australia – including Frost, Koskela, Good Design Australia and Mek Studio – and 930 worldwide.
“Research shows that 80% of all climate-related challenges today are rooted in the design phase of products. Our mission is to reverse this trend and harness our collective power to effect real environmental change,” said Ben Rennie, chairperson of Design Declares Australia.
“Our immediate goal is to mobilise the Australian design community to sign the declaration and follow the ‘8 Steps of Emergency.’ In the long term, we aspire to influence governmental policies by demonstrating that superficial approaches to climate issues are insufficient. We aim to rally support for substantial, actionable measures addressing the rising ocean level threat and other urgent environmental challenges,” adds Rennie.
“By acknowledging that we are in a climate emergency and committing to action, we are taking steps towards meaningful change. It’s time for designers and design studios to sign the declaration of this crucial movement,” added Nicola Rennie, operations director.
Design Declares welcomes participation from individuals and studios involved in various design sectors, including industrial, digital, graphic, communication, and service design. Signatories can access the Design Declares toolkit, a curated collection of resources designed to equip designers with the knowledge and tools to implement sustainable and regenerative practices. It includes guidelines, best practices, and case studies, providing a practical roadmap for designers committed to making a positive environmental impact.
You can sign the declaration here. More

The Southern Grampians Shire Council has issued a tender inviting Australian and international architects to design the New Hamilton Gallery in Hamilton, regional Victoria.
The project has been advocated for by community groups for more than a decade. In July 2024, the council endorsed the proposal to build the New Hamilton Gallery on the site of the current Hamilton Gallery, which houses a collection of more than 9,000 artworks.
The existing gallery, built in 1961, is no longer fit for purpose due to insufficient display space for exhibitions; storage limitations; climate control issues, and limited space for community activities.
The council partnered with the University of Melbourne, Melbourne School of Design academics, deputy dean Professor Alan Pert, and associate professor Rory Hyde, to consult with the community and develop the tender brief.
“We see this project as an opportunity for Hamilton to be a national leader in regional art galleries. To create something which is truly exciting, inclusive and ambitious,” said Rory Hyde.
The tender invites architects to respond to local identity, civic life, creative pathways, the collection, the natural environment and First Nations culture and connections with the region.
Gallery director Joshua White said the original gallery was built and opened due to the community’s efforts. “The new gallery project is no different and has had remarkable support during its decade long journey. […] Now our nationally significant collection, which has been donated and gifted by the public, will have a building to match.”
The council has allocated funding in their recent budget for the gallery design.
The tender portal will close on Monday 19 August 2024. To find out more about the tender, visit the Hamilton Gallery website. More

A design team led by Billard Leece Partnership has unveiled its initial concept designs for the Queensland Cancer Centre in Brisbane, a new healthcare facility where individuals can access cancer treatment and care.
The new cancer centre will be co-located with the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital in Herston. Billard Leece Partnership (BLP) was appointed as the lead architect for the initial design phase of the project, working in collaboration with Lendlease and LCI Consultants for Health Infrastructure Queensland, Queensland Health.

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The facility will accommodate a welcoming entrance, day therapy spaces, outpatient and telehealth consult rooms, 150 overnight beds, four operating theatres, and proton therapy treatment areas.
BLP design lead Brad Dorn said establishing the healthcare facility as a place of treatment is only one component of the project. Another aspect is creating an environment that prioritises a holistic approach to health and wellbeing, which will help patients and their loved ones feel as comfortable as possible during treatment.
Extending beyond the physical building, the overarching project vision encompasses a community hub.
“The design takes into account the importance of the public realm and is designed to seamlessly integrate with the urban fabric of the Herston Health Precinct, inviting the community in and fostering a sense of belonging,” Dorn said.
“Critical to the design has been the incorporation of landscaped areas throughout the building for everyone to access, promoting a strong biophilic response for the site.”

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Managing director of BLP Tara Veldman said the project represents not only a structure, but also a commitment to a new era of cancer care in Queensland.
“As lead architects, BLP is proud to be entrusted with the design of QCC, as it plays a pivotal role in Queensland’s healthcare as a beacon of hope and healing,” Veldman said. More

Entries have opened for the 2025 AA Prize for Unbuilt Work, the only prize in Australia that rewards compelling work in its conceptual stages.
Architects, landscape architects, planners, urban designers, interior designers, and students of these disciplines are all eligible to submit their unrealised designs.
A cash prize of $5,000 will be awarded by the jury. The jury for the 2025 prize comprises esteemed industry voices who have been appointed based on their expertise, professional standing and profile.
Camila Block is a director of Durbach Block Jaggers Architects and a life fellow of the Australian Institute of Architects. After graduating from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Architecture in 1991, she then joined Neil Durbach in practice in 1992. In 1998, the pair formed Durbach Block Architects (now Durbach Block Jaggers Architects). In 2014, she received an honorary appointment as adjunct professor from the University of Technology Sydney, Faculty of Design Architecture and Building. She has taught, lectured, exhibited, judged awards and been published both nationally and internationally.
Nic Brunsdon serves as the principal and creative director of Brunsdon Studio and is recognised as one of Australia’s leading architects. In 2015, he was awarded the Australian Institute of Architects Emerging Architect Award, firstly for Western Australia and then nationally. His studio’s projects have received international acclaim at the World Architecture Festival, Houses Awards, Loop Awards and Australian Institute of Architects Awards programs. Brunsdon is also the director of the urban program Spacemarket, which pairs disused spaces with useful people.
Jocelyn Chiew is an architect, landscape architect, urban designer and director of city design at City of Melbourne. As director, Chiew plays a key role in creating and enabling inclusive, sustainable and enduring public places. She additionally leads the city’s Design Excellence Program and is deputy chair of the Melbourne Design Review Panel. She is a fellow of the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects, a member of Gender Equity Victoria’s Put Her Name on It Reference Group and a former state and national councillor at the Australian Institute of Architects.
Michael Mossman is associate dean Indigenous Strategy and Services at the University of Sydney’s School of Architecture, Design and Planning. He is a Kuku Yalanji man from Cairns, who currently lives and works on the Country of the Gadigal People in Sydney. Mossman is a registered architect (non-practising) and First Nations design strategy consultant with over 20 years of professional practice experience who advocates Country and First Nations issues in the architectural profession at educational, practice and policy levels. He was awarded a doctor of philosophy in architecture with his thesis titled: Third Space, Architecture and Indigeneity.
Georgia Birks is associate editor of Architecture Australia, a graduate of architecture and a proud descendant of the Birpai, Dunghutti and Kamilaroi people. Prior to her role as associate editor, she assisted the delivery of a range of projects across Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia. She is a curator for Design Speaks, a member of the Australian Institute of Architects First Nations Advisory Committee and a member of the City of Melbourne’s Design Excellence Advisory Committee.
Entries for the 2025 AA Prize for Unbuilt can be submitted until 23 August 2024.
The shortlist will be published on ArchitectureAU.com on Thursday 21 November 2024.
Awarded schemes will be published on ArchitectureAu.com on Thursday 16 January 2025. They will also be published in the January 2025 issue of Architecture Australia. More

The World Architecture Festival (WAF) has revealed the first round of its 2024 Special Prize shortlist, with five Australian projects in the running for accolades.
So far, Australian work has been shortlisted in two Special Prize categories: Best Use of Colour and Small Project of the Year.
Director of the World Architecture Festival Paul Finch said the Special Prizes program is an important component of the WAF Awards. “Cutting across all categories, [the prizes] give entrants an additional chance to win an award for excellent work. We look forward to seeing the presentations of these creative shortlisted projects at the live festival,” Finch said.
Finalists were announced in Best Use of Colour, Sustainability, Small Project of the Year and Best Use of Stone. Projects shortlisted for Best Use of Natural Light will be named in August 2024, while the Grohe Water Prize finalist and winner will be revealed in September 2024.
All winners will be announced at the World Architecture Festival, taking place in Singapore between 6 and 8 November 2024.
First-round shortlisted Australian projects are:
Best Use of Colour Prize

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Holocene House – Cplusc Architectural Workshop
Merlot 3 – HDR
Preston Level Crossing Removal Project – Wood Marsh Architecture
Small Project of the Year

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Blacktown Animal Rehoming Centre – Sam Crawford Architects
MPavilion 10 – Tadao Ando Architect and Associates
For more information, visit the World Architecture Festival website.
View shortlisted projects in the running for WAF Awards here. More

The Australian Institute of Architects has opened entries for its seventeenth Dulux Study Tour, a prize that connects Australia’s promising emerging architects with respected international sites and studios.
A jury will select five successful candidates to embark on the 2025 tour, which is scheduled to depart in May.
The prize is open to Institute members who are within 10 years of graduation from an AACA-accredited master of architecture degree (or equivalent).
Judging will occur in two phases, with first-stage entrants submitting their answers to four nominated questions. Each shortlisted candidate will then be required to submit a resume and a portfolio of work.
Entrants will be judged not only on contributions to architectural practice, but also education, design excellence and community involvement.

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Tour stops will take place in three countries, which are yet to be decided. Winners will be invited to nominate their preferred sites and practices.
The 2024 tour saw Emma Chrisp, Flynn Carr, Jamileh Jahangiri, Mike Sneyd and Simona Falvo embark on a 10-day journey through Tokyo, Berlin and Madrid.
Stage-one entries may be submitted via the online portal until 11.59 pm on 4 October 2024. Submissions for stage two must be lodged by 5 pm on 15 November 2024.
To enter, visit the Australian Institute of Architects’ website. More

The Australian Institute of Architects is now the sole owner of ArchitectureAu publisher Architecture Media, acquiring the company’s remaining 50 percent stake as of 1 July 2024.
Architecture Media was co-founded by Ian Close and the Institute in 1987, with each party owning a 50 percent stake. Close was the company’s managing director until 2021, when he stepped down and Jacinta Reedy was appointed CEO.
In addition to ArchitectureAu, Architecture Media publishes Architecture Australia, Houses and Landscape Architecture Australia magazines and organises The Architecture Symposium (under its Design Speaks brand), the Houses Awards, the Australian Interior Design Awards, the Eat Drink Design Awards, the AA Prize for Unbuilt Work and the ArchitectureAu Award for Social Impact.
Since its inception in 2011, ArchitectureAu has comprehensively covered Australia’s built environment and provided architects a platform for discussing issues within the profession and at its intersection with the public domain. Architecture Australia has a 120-year history, which predates both Architecture Media and the Australian Institute of Architects and is recognised as the journal of record for architecture in Australia.
Architecture Media will remain a standalone business and retain editorial independence.
In a communique to members of the Institute, CEO Cameron Bruhn said, “As we approach our centenary year in 2029, this acquisition positions us to thrive for the next century and beyond, creating a comprehensive ecosystem of support, promotion, and engagement for the architectural profession.”
“This change represents a natural evolution for Architecture Media,” said Reedy. “As we enter this new phase, we wish Ian well and thank him for his leadership and contribution over more than 30 years. We will continue to strive for excellence in all that we do in the service of the built environment, with the support of the Institute.” More

The Queensland government is seeking expressions of interest for a principal consultant and managing contractor for a proposed new Sunshine Coast Indoor Sports Centre.
The $142 million venue will be part of the Katana Sports Precinct, and is slated to host the basketball preliminaries for the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games. The venue will accommodate a minimum of 6,000 spectators.
In addition to the new indoor sports venue, the government will also upgrade the Sunshine Coast Stadium, which will host the preliminaries and quarter final games for football at the olympics.
“Indoor sports currently account for 12 of 28 Olympic sports and 11 of the 22 Paralympic sports in the Games, so it’s important we allow our aspiring athletes the best opportunity to train in high-performance facilities and develop their dreams in their own backyard,” said Queensland state development and infrastructure minister Grace Grace.
“The new venue, along with the adjacent Sunshine Coast Stadium, will not only support the Games, but create a regional and national sporting and entertainment venue to provide long-lasting legacy benefits for the community.”
The facility is funded through the $1.87 billion Minor Venues Program, with the state and federal governments jointly contributing to the fund. The Sunshine Coast Council will also contribute $25 million for air conditioning, permanent retractable seats, broadcast lighting, a cafe and gym floor area.
The state and federal governments have a policy of procuring at least 30 percent small- and medium-sized enterprises based in Queensland for the Minor Venues Program.
Expressions of interest can be submitted through the Qtenders website. More